Looking at 04 Explorer - Advise
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Looking at 04 Explorer - Advise
I am looking into buying a 2004 Explorer XLT with the 4.6l v8 and the heavy tow package...43,000 miles. Took it for a test drive yesterday, and it drove very nice. Gave it a good workout on the test drive....from freeway to residential areas with lots of stop and go. Didn't notice anything unusual while on the drive. Taking it out again tonight...dealer is letting me tow my pop-up camper with it tonight.
Anything I should be looking and/or listening for?
Any help would be appreciated.
Anything I should be looking and/or listening for?
Any help would be appreciated.
CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Lake Havasu City AZ
Two things:
1) Make sure the tranny additive (if needed) was put in
2) Try making sharp turns from a dead stop to see if you get any chattering/growling from the rear end; if you do, the clutch packs on the LS rear end are going out
Steve
1) Make sure the tranny additive (if needed) was put in
2) Try making sharp turns from a dead stop to see if you get any chattering/growling from the rear end; if you do, the clutch packs on the LS rear end are going out
Steve
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 425
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From: Roanoke
Take it out on the freeway and run it steady around 55 to 65 MPH. Turn everything off and listen very closely, get on and off the gas very lightly, if there is any rearend trouble, you will here it. I would also see if the dealer will throw in a trans. flush if it hasn't already been done.
I have an '04 and it rides good and drives good, with plenty of power, but we have had our trouble with it. Just check it over very closely, just because mine has been trouble some doesn't mean that the one you are looking will be.
Good Luck with your purchase!!
I have an '04 and it rides good and drives good, with plenty of power, but we have had our trouble with it. Just check it over very closely, just because mine has been trouble some doesn't mean that the one you are looking will be.
Good Luck with your purchase!!
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
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I have a 04 V6 auto XLT, that I wouldn't take out of town.
Lets see whats wrong with it at 43,000 the trans, (slips) the cd player,( does nothing) the rear end howls, grinds.
The V8 might be better but I wouldn't bet on it.
But my GF likes it and she makes the payment otherwise it would just another bad Ford memory.
I've owned nothing but Fords for 25 years but this is the last one.
How could a trans slip at 43k or a CD player that doesn't work or a rear end that needs a rebuild?
I got the extended warranty $2000.00 its worth every penny of it.
This car is $17500 worth of?
Lets see whats wrong with it at 43,000 the trans, (slips) the cd player,( does nothing) the rear end howls, grinds.
The V8 might be better but I wouldn't bet on it.
But my GF likes it and she makes the payment otherwise it would just another bad Ford memory.
I've owned nothing but Fords for 25 years but this is the last one.
How could a trans slip at 43k or a CD player that doesn't work or a rear end that needs a rebuild?
I got the extended warranty $2000.00 its worth every penny of it.
This car is $17500 worth of?
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Avoid...
I have a 2004 v6 4x4 that I also can't drive out of town. From the get go there have been major issues...started with a loud popping in front end when turning sharp turns or backing out of parking places, progressed to transmission...at 35000 miles had worked on trans 2x, needed ball joints and rear end was leaking, also replaced passenger side front axle...now four wheel drive light stays on, abs light is on, rear end is screaming and it feels like it goes in and out of 4 wheel drive on its own...I am fixing or trading in by the end of the month, I have owned two fords prior my 1994 explorer burned to the ground 6 months after I sold it to a friend in 2000 and my expedition had ball joint issues...my ex husbands f250 had ball joint issues as well as my brothers two tauruses...3 weeks ago my dads 1997 turbo diesel dually caught fire at a gas station and was totalled...I will NEVER own another ford, I dont care if they were freakn giving them away!!!!
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Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Salt Lake City, Utah
I disagree. I know several people with newer explorers and they are very happy with them. I know the trannies can be tempermental but the main thing to prevent issues is to change the fluid at the recommended intervals, and don't let people get a flush machine near them, including the Ford dealer.
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Senior User
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Originally Posted by Bear River
I disagree. I know several people with newer explorers and they are very happy with them. I know the trannies can be tempermental but the main thing to prevent issues is to change the fluid at the recommended intervals, and don't let people get a flush machine near them, including the Ford dealer.
I have a 04 V6 43K miles thats needs to go in for the trans, cd player, the rear end and now the front is starting to bang in a thight turn.
The kid bought new a 02 Ex, the rear end was repaired at 33k miles.
The engine locked up at 132k miles, water pump ate a hole in the pump housing causing the coolant to gush into the crankcase. New engine $3200, new radiator, etc.
His other truck a 03 Excursion lost its air conditioning at 35k miles.
My 04 Ford Freestar lost the ABS computer at 32k miles.
How much do you have to pay just to get a late model Ford to run correctly?
They can't build a decent car for $35,000?
Who would've thought that a 04 would have so many repairs with such low mileage?
I bought Ford because for years and years, they never broke. Most people don't form a brand loyality with a problematic product.
My advice to anyone who wants a late model Ford is to get the extended warranty and when its up sell the thing.
For what its worth Toyota's arent much better. All cars built today have Chinese parts on them and that is the weak link.
Would I buy another late model Ford? NO!
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steina-
still trying to drive the price down at the dealership. Took it out for another test drive too. Pulled my pop up camper behind it as well. Tried to get the rear end to growl...no go. however, i did get the rear end to pop when starting out from a stopped position and making a very sharp turn. Got it to go twice...then nothing. Didn't think anything major though. I have a 1996 xlt with 163,000 miles that is starting to nickel and dime me....Thanks for all the info from all. Especially the haters! They always give you the good stuff!
still trying to drive the price down at the dealership. Took it out for another test drive too. Pulled my pop up camper behind it as well. Tried to get the rear end to growl...no go. however, i did get the rear end to pop when starting out from a stopped position and making a very sharp turn. Got it to go twice...then nothing. Didn't think anything major though. I have a 1996 xlt with 163,000 miles that is starting to nickel and dime me....Thanks for all the info from all. Especially the haters! They always give you the good stuff!
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Good Luck!
I wouldn't consider myself a hater, I just hate to see you get something that is "guaranteed" to break and be a big investment when you can steer clear of the whole problem.
My dad retired from GM and we all continued to buy FORD products til we realized all these problems. I LOVED my 94 explorer, my 1998 expedition and my 2004 explorer until I realized that Ford KNOWS about these issues and doesn't give a crap about trying to fix them or caring what happens to the customers who buy them. I think repeated issues should call for some recalls, rebuilds or something, but because they aren't safety issues they don't care.
If you got the rear end to pop already and know that these things pop in the front end and the rear end before they start to go then why continue to look at it?
Call me a hater now, get back with me in a year
My dad retired from GM and we all continued to buy FORD products til we realized all these problems. I LOVED my 94 explorer, my 1998 expedition and my 2004 explorer until I realized that Ford KNOWS about these issues and doesn't give a crap about trying to fix them or caring what happens to the customers who buy them. I think repeated issues should call for some recalls, rebuilds or something, but because they aren't safety issues they don't care.
If you got the rear end to pop already and know that these things pop in the front end and the rear end before they start to go then why continue to look at it?
Call me a hater now, get back with me in a year
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 108
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Originally Posted by fancy_92
I wouldn't consider myself a hater, I just hate to see you get something that is "guaranteed" to break and be a big investment when you can steer clear of the whole problem.
My dad retired from GM and we all continued to buy FORD products til we realized all these problems. I LOVED my 94 explorer, my 1998 expedition and my 2004 explorer until I realized that Ford KNOWS about these issues and doesn't give a crap about trying to fix them or caring what happens to the customers who buy them. I think repeated issues should call for some recalls, rebuilds or something, but because they aren't safety issues they don't care.
If you got the rear end to pop already and know that these things pop in the front end and the rear end before they start to go then why continue to look at it?
Call me a hater now, get back with me in a year
My dad retired from GM and we all continued to buy FORD products til we realized all these problems. I LOVED my 94 explorer, my 1998 expedition and my 2004 explorer until I realized that Ford KNOWS about these issues and doesn't give a crap about trying to fix them or caring what happens to the customers who buy them. I think repeated issues should call for some recalls, rebuilds or something, but because they aren't safety issues they don't care.
If you got the rear end to pop already and know that these things pop in the front end and the rear end before they start to go then why continue to look at it?
Call me a hater now, get back with me in a year
Fancy 92:
I think he needs to buy that 04.
Haters, internet pc bs, for people who don't have a clue.
Im with ya he can have mine for $13,000 I paid $17,500.
Whats a Ford recall? A dart game in the dark?
Ya know it doesn't seem to matter how much experience you have with a product those who can not listen will be at the mercy of thier own supidity.
Ford Explorer problems are extremely well documented.
Oh well we tried.